Machine for treating the tops of pineapples



Aug. 6, 1929.

c. H. DOLAN, JR

MACHINE FOR TREATING THE TOPS 0F PINEAPPLES Filed Jan. 14, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 6, 1929. c. H. DQLAN, JR

MACHINE FOR TREATING THE TOPS OF PINEAPPLES Filed Jan. 14, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet ZQTZ INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYJ Aug. 6, 1929.

C. H. D OLAN, JR

MACHINE FOR TREATING THE TOPS OF PINEAPPLES Filed Jan. 14, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet I INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYJ Aug. 6, 1929. c. H. DOLAN, JR 1,723,606

MACHINE-FOR TREATING THE TOPS OF PINEAPPLES Filed Jan. 14, 1928 GSheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR" BY fl-M *4,

ATTORNEYS.

' 6, 1929. c DQLAN, J v 1,723,606

' MACHINE FOR TREATING THE TOPS OF PINEAPPLES Filed Jan. 14, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

. ATTORNEYS.

6, 1929- I c H. DOLAN, JR 1,723,606

MACHINE FOR TREATING THE TOPS OF PINEAPPLES Filed Jan. 14, 1928 e Sheets-Sheet 6 yam" INVENTORL' ATTORNEY;

Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. DOLAN, JR., 013 HQNOLULU, TERRITORY OF HAWAII.

MACHINE FOR TREATING- TIll-lil l TOPS OF PINEAPPLES.

This invention relates to a machine for treating pineapple tops, slips and shoots, a lltl, more specifically, to an ap mratus :ior stripping the leaves from the lower portioir-i ot the tops, slips and shoots of 1)ll1( lt )l(/H, alter the said tops, slips and shoots have been re moved from the main body of the fruit.

It is to be understood that, in lhcpinea pplc industry oi the present day, a very large proportion ot the harvest is sent to the cannery, and subsequently shipped to the i-etaile-e. Immediately after the fruit is harvested, for canning purposes, the top of the pineapple is broken away ti-om the body thereof. The main portion oi the top so removed is called the crown, and C()111])l'.l s a fibrous growth carrying laterally extending leaviai, the lower section of the said crown includinga plurality of seed nodules which slightly proiect laterally of the body. The crowns are used as plantings for the future crop, and it is essential that the laterally mztendingr leavei; adjacent the seed nodules he removei'l. so that said crowns may be easily inserted into the ground.

Prior to the development of the present invention, it has been customary to JUHHJVQ the leaves by hand, but, since the lea V'LEY-l .re growths oil? exceeding toughness, remo al by hand is a very dillicult operation. llhe leaves grow immediately adjacent the seed nodules, and the use ot a cutting implement, in the hands of careless lal'iorers, is likely to injure the nodules, and thereby render them inetliec-- tive from a productive standpont. In removing}; the leaves by hand, to snap or tear them from the body of the crown, each laborer coin- .iletely wears out a set of heavy gloves each day. and even then. in, many instances, the hands of the laborer are so cut and torn by the tough, cactus-like leaves, that continued] work is often delayed.

The present invention relates to means tor mechanically removing the leaves, the primary object of the invention being); the provision of ,iower-actuated means adapted to mechanically strip the leaves from the pine-- apple crown, slips or shoot s without inj my to the seed nodules.

Other objects of the invention will. be made apparent in the accompanyiiur drawings, when read in conijiection with the specific tions forming a part thereof.

In said drawings:

is a side elevation, partly in section,

Serial No. 246,798.

shou'uigr an apparatus embodyino my invention, certain instrumentalities being eliminated in this view for the purpose of clarity.

Fig. 2 is 2 top plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the stripping devices in a different position.

Fin; 4- is a. front elevationv ot the apparatus shown. in Fig. 'l.

l i z 5 is a sectional detail view of a rotative mandrel tori'nilur part of my invention, and showing the plunger for removing the treated top, slip or shoot.

Fin. Gis a top plan view of the apparatus, when the stripping devices are in the position i lustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a persg'iective view with the supporting members eliminated. for clarity, and illi'!sti'atiiur the means for actuating the strippin devices.

l ior. 9 is a. perspective view of a pineap le top to he. treated. and sl'lowingjzi the top of the s1 1 nporti no: ma ndrel.

Fin. 9 is a reduced detail showing the position of the stripping devices when in the posit-ion as shown in Fig. 3'.

Fig. 10 is a bottom View of the device, looking upwardly.

Fig.7. ll is a s de levation. oartlv in sec tion. of a hand actuated device for a similar purpose.

Fin. s a section on the line ]2-12 of Fin. 1'1. and,

l 13 is an elevation. partly in section, of the base of the device shown in Fig. 11.

Now reterrin specifically to the drawings, in which similar reference numerals indicate lilce parts throuehout the'several views, 1. indicates a table having the necessary supportin lens 2, a shelf 3, and the bracing struts 4 and 5.

A. mandrel 6 is mounted on a verticallyn'iovahle shaft 7. extendinc downwardly, con trallv of the table, and through a collar 8, bolted to the shelf 3, and a beveled gear 9 is key d onto the shatt 7 as illustrated in Fig. 5. Pivoted to hr. ts 10. secured to the rear of the table. is a foot lever comprising two arms ll. 11 Forming a yoke 12, from which extends a neck 13, terminating in a treadle l4. extendino: outwardly at the front ofthe table, as best .en in Fig. 1.0. As illustrated in Fig. 4-. the neck 13 is guided in its movements by a guide channel 15. formed by parallel. braces 16, 16, extending between the shelf 3 and the lower connected ends of the bracing struts 4, 4.

A beveled gear 17 is mounted on a stub shaft 18 having bearing in a trunnion 19 carried by the shelf 3, said gear 17 extending upwardly above the shelf, and being in mesh with the gear 9 carried by the shaft 7. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the gear 17 is provided with ratchet teeth on its outer periphery, and a pawl 20 is secured to one of the arms 11, adjacent said gear 17, the front end of the pawl engaging the teeth on the periphery of the gear, the action being such that each downward reciprocation of the foot lever will cause a partial rotation of the gear 17, the return movement of the foot lever causing the pawl 20 to slide over the ratchet teeth, as will be understood. Obviously, since the gear 17 is in mesh with the gear 9, each downward movement of the foot lever will cause a partial rotation of the mandrel 6. p

In actual operation, in the removal of the leaves from the crown, the latter is placed upon the mandrel 6, an upstanding spur 21 being centrally carried by the mandrel and piercing the lower portion of the crown to temporarily hold it in position. A guard member, here shown in conical form and hereinafter called a funnel, is adapted to extend downwardly through the top of the table and over and entirely surround the crown, with the exception of the lower portion thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The guard member is composed of a fixed section 22, in the shape of one-half of a funnel bisected on its vertical axis, and a second section 23, which is'pivotally secured to the section 22, at 24. The lower extremities of each of the sections 22 and 23 are pressed inwardly so as to form vertically extending end flanges 27 constituting the lower end of the funnel or crown guard, when the two sections of the funnel are in the position shown in full lines, Fig. 1. It is to be noted however that the funnel section 23 is movable laterally of the fixed section 22, to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, whereby to permit the lower portions of the funnel to embrace the upper portion of a crown 28, seated upon the mandrel 6. It is also to be understood that, in seating the crown upon the mandrel, the section 23 is closed and the crown inserted through the top of the funnel and pressed downwardly upon the mandrel.

To raise and lower the section 23 of the funnel guard, I provide a rod 29, one on each side of the machine, terminating in a hook 30. The rods 29 extend upwardly and are secured to one end of hell crank levers 31, pivotally mounted at 32 to the table, the other ends of said bell-cranks being pivotally connectedto another rod 33. The pivot pins 24, on which the funnel section 23 is mounted, also carry a crank arm 35, to the free end of which the rod 33 is secured. Extending between and secured to the hooks 30 is a connector rod 30. From the foregoing it obvious that a complete depression of the treadle 14 will cause the yoke 12 to engage the rod 30', carried by the hooks 30, thereby exerting a downward pull upon the rod 29 and, through the medium of the bell crank 31, upon the rod 33 to raise the section 23, as shown in full lines, Fig. 3. The spring 30, Fig. 3, connected to the yoke 12 and to the table, tends to return the yoke to normal position, and the spring 37, assisted by gravity, returns the bell-crank lever, and hence. the section 23, to normal position.

lVith the crown 28 in position on the mandrel 6, and the sections 22 and 23 as shown in full lines Fig. 1, certain instrumentalities are actuated to strip the leaves from the exposed or lower portion of the crown. As best illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, a yoke memher is provided for each of the four sides of the table, said members each consisting of yoke arms 38, 39, pivotally secured to a block 40, by pins 41 and 42 respectively, as shown in Fig. 7, said block being mounted on pins 43, having bearings for pivotal movementin the braces 5, as shown in Fig. 1. Each of the four yoke members are exactly alike, having diverging arms 44, 45 at the top, and diverging lower ends 46, 47, the arms 44, 45 extending inwardly and upwardly to reach a point adjacent the top of the funnel guard sections 23, 22, as illustrated in Fig. 1, in which figure only two of the yoke members are illustrated.

Between the upper ends of the arms 44 and 45, is secured astripper or cutter 48, in the form of a flexible wire, spanning the space between the extreme ends of the arms 44 and 45, each end of the wire cutter or stripper being secured to a set screw 49. 4!), extending through said ends, whereby to regulate the tension on the wire, as desired, and as will be clearly understood. The extreme lower ends of the arms 46. 47 are coir nected by a coiled spring 50, each end of the spring 50 being secured to a set screw 51. extending through one of said ends, whereby the tension of said spring is adjustable. It is to be understood that the strippers or cutters 48 may be provided with a cutting edge which will actually out through the leaves on the exposed portion of the crown, the cutters flexing laterally to follow the contours of the funnel, but not being flexible vertically; or the wires may be of the m'(lln:. variety and adapted to merely exert downward pressure upon the leaves to partialtv cut, and partia ly snap or break them oil the crown, during the trimming operation to be hereinafter set forth.

In order to cause pivotal movement of the four yokes hereinbefore referred to. they a 'c connected to the arms 11, 11 of the foot lever, by linkage now to be described. Between.

ltltl the braces and the shelf 3, on each of the four sides of the table or frame of the machine, is provided a strut 52, and a link 53 pivotally secured. at one end to one of said struts, and at the other end, to a short connector link 54, the top end of the link 541:

i being in turn pivotally connected to one end connected at 59, to the shoulder termed on the yoke opposite the yoke carrying the shoulder 57 heretofore referred to. The l1nkage Just described is connected to one of the foot lever arms 11, by means of a link 61 pivoted to said arm 11, at one end, and to the link 53 at the other end, all as illustrated in Fig. 7. The other arm 11 is similarly connected to a duplicate chain of linkage, it be ing understood that, upon downward movement of the treadle 14 the linkage described causes all of the yokcs to move inwardly towards the funnel guard so that the cutting or stripping Wires contact and ride down the outside of the tapering sections 22 and 23.

For the purpose of clarity in explanation, while all the yokes are exactly of the same construction, reference letters A, B, C and D have been applied to them in Fig. 7. It is to be noted that the connection to the right-hand arm 11 causes the desired tilting action of the yokes A and C, While a similar connection to the left-hand arm 11 causes the same action of the yolces B and D. It is to be observed that, in each yoke, the left-hand arm 44 is shown to be somewhat longer than its associated arm 45. One result of this construction is that, when all the yokes are converging and descending, the

long arm of one yoke travels in a path adjacent the short arm of the adjacent yoke, so that the yoke arms do not contact. Another result is that the cutting or stripping wire 48 is higher at one end than at the other so that, as it passes below the ends of the sections 22 and 23, it strikes the leaves on the exposed portion of the crown at an angle, providing a shearing action which is most eiiicacious in removing the leaves from the crown.

Referring to Fig. 7 and specifically to the yoke A, as shown at the left center of the :tigure, the movement of said yoke will be described, and, since all the yokes operate in a similar manner, a description of the operation of one of them will suiiice for all. When the foot lever is depressed the arm 11 at the right, through the linkage 61, 53, 54:, 55, causes a'downward pull upon the shoulder 57 secured or integral with the yoke A. t'fiuch pull results in a pivotal movement of the block 40, on the pins 43, and the upper contact, each toeach, during such downward arms i4, 4-5 of the yoke are moved inward and downward. Such movement obviously causes the wire or strippers $8 to approach the funnel guard and to finally contact the sides of sections Hand 25, to ride downwardly in contact therewith during and until the downward n'iovement of the foot lever has ceased.

Obviously, when the wire or stripper 48 forcibly contacts the sides of the funnel sections 22, 23, it is flexed to the contour of said sections, and the pressure tends to cause a convergence of the arms stat and of the yoke. Such convergence is resiliently resist cd however, by the spring which connects the lower ends at 4L7 of the yoke arms, with the result that, while the wire 18 passes do wnwardly in constant wiping contact with the the sides of the funnel. the funnel contacting portion thereof is curved to conform substantially to an arc of a circle, the diameter of which constantly decreases as the wire descends, the spring 50 being always operative to prevent any looseness or sag in the wire. As the wire i8 p es dowilward1y beyond and out of contact with the lower end of the funnel, it contacts the leaves (see Fig. 8), and either cuts them 011' with a shearing action, or snaps them off by pressure.

It is to be remembered that, during the descent of the yoke A, the yohes B, (l and .l) are being similarly forced downwardly, and, as heretofore e1: plaincd, the construction and position of the yokes such that none of them movement, but, when in their lowermost position, as shown in Figs. 3, ll and fl. they are arranged. in overla nnid relation, all of the strippers or cutters 48 having passed downwardly over the crown, to remove the leaves (50, and have come to rest in the sliding sleeve til, provided on the mandrel ii, the spring 50 retaining said strippers in said sleeve. It is to be noted that each wire 48, when it reaches the crown on the mandrel 6, encircles and contacts with substantially one-half of the circumference of the crown. Consequently, since there are four strippers, each half portion of the crown traversed by two of the strippers, resulting in the removal of all of the leaves 60 which are carried by the crown.

Upon the bottom surface and periphery of pineapple crowns, are found small leaves which it is desirable to remove. it or this rea son the upper surface of the mandrel (i is provided wit-h a ],)lurali'ty of cutter blades (32, best seen in Fig. 8. Under depn'es-zsion of the foot lever, the pawl 20 carried thereby serves to rotate the nuindrel, tofore e1;- plained, and the blades (32 ell'ectiwly sever said small leaves not reached by the wires.

After the wires 48 have removed the leaves 60 from the crown and are resting in the groove 61, a further downward pressure of ill) foot lever causes the yoke 12 to contact the connecting rod 30, depressing the hooks 30, and the rod 29, and causing the bell crank lever 31 to move the section 23 of the funnel to the position shown in Fig. 3. When the section 23 releases the crown, the latter generally falls from the mandrel 6 upon a chute 64, extending beneath the table to a point adjacent the mandrel, and the crown is delivered to a receptacle at the lower end of the chute. However, in order to assure that the crown will be removed from the mandrel 6, the following instrumentalities are employed. As best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, the yoke A carries a plunger rod 65, slidably mounted in brackets 66, 66, secured to said yoke. The front end of the rod carries a clearing shoe 67, and a head 68 is provided on the rear end of said rod, a spring 69 surrounding the rod between the brackets and exerting its tendency to retain the rod 65 in the position shown in Fig. 1. Secured to a bracket 70, carried by the table, is a bell-crank 71, one end of which is connected to the rod 29, the other end 72 of said lever being in a position directly behind said head, when the yoke A is fully down, Fig. 3. The final depression of the foot lever exerts a downward pull on the rod 29, causing the end 72 of the bell crank to contact the head 68 on the rod 65, and to project the pusher shoe 67 against the crown on the mandrel, whereby to positively remove the crown therefrom and push it toward the chute 64..

The mandrel 6' is usually of a diameter sufficiently large to receive pineapple crowns of any size, and is mounted for vertical adj Listment in order that it may be raised and lowered so that only the proper area of the crown to be treated is exposed below the funnel when the sections 22 and 23 are closed. To regulate the vertical position of the mandrel o, a lever 73, fulcrumed in a bearing strap 74 carried by and extending below the shelf 3,'is pivotally connected at 75, to the lower end of the vertically movable shaft 7 upon which the mandrel 6 is mounted. The upper end 76 of the lever extends toward the front of the machine and is adapted to rest in any one of a plurality of definitely spaced retaining sockets 77 formed in an angle bar 78 extending between the shelf 3 and one of the struts 4, this construction being best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4.

In view of the foregoing explanations it is believed that no further detailed description of the specific operation of the machine is necessary. In actual practice two operators are necessary to service each machine, one operator feeding the crowns, slips or shoots to the mandrel through a funnel in the top of the table. The other operator of course actuates the treadle 14, and the lever 73. The machine as herein described is capable of performing the work heretofore done by twelve to fifteen operators, removing the leaves by hand. The machine operation also offers less chance of injury to the seed nodules, since the stripping wires merely ride over the nodules, under the resiliency of the spring 50.

Obviously the machine may be actuated by a hand lover, or by a power motor operatively connected to a control adapted to depress the yokes A, B, C, D, and to govern the opening and closing of the section 23. I have herein disclosed one form of apparatus provided with means for accomplishing the desired results.

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show views of a hand operated device. In this structure a bi-seetion funnel 80 is utilized, and it comprises two sections 81 and 82, pivoted at the top at 83. Surrounding the two sections 81 and 82, is a resilient band 84, preferably of elastic material such as rubber, but it may obviously be formed of acoiled spring. The band 84 is held in position by means of cleats 85 spaced around the periphery of the sections 81 and 82, and always tends to retain the lower end of the funnel 84 in closed position.

The funnel is mounted on a stand comprising a base 86, in which is mounted a staff 87, adjustable by means of a nut 88. The upper end of the staff 87 is shaped to the inclination of the funnel section 81, and is formed with an offset end portion 89, extending into bracket members 90 carried by said section 81, and may be secured in position by screws or thumb nut 91, if desired.

Directly below the lower end or mouth 92 of the funnel, a platform 93 is adjustably secured to the staff 87, the adjustment being effected by means of a screw-bolt 94, extending laterally from the rear edge of the platform, and projecting through a vertically elongated slot formed in the staff 87. A thumb nut 95 operatively engages said bolt 94, the structure operating in the well-known manner when it is desired to raise and lower the platform. A brace 96 is secured to the lower portion of the platform, the vertical side of said brace remaining in constant contact with the staff 87, and tending to prevent collapse of the platform under pressure applied thereto.

A handle member 97 is secured to the side of the funnel section 81, and two semi-circular cutter knives 99, 99 are fastened by bolts 99, or otherwise to the lower portions of the sections 81 and 82 forming the lower mouth of the funnel 84, said sections 99, 99 projecting below the mouth 92 of the funnel. A distance piece 100, which may be in the form of a coiled spring, is secured above the top of the knives, for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

In the operation of the device just described, the base 86 is placed upon the ground, and the operator holds the handle 97 with the left hand, while, with the right hand, he grasps'and forcibly pushes a crown into and through the open top of the funnel 80. Under the downward movement of the crown, the outward pressure of the crown against the inside surfaces of the lower portion of the funnel members, causes the band 84: to flex and allow a separation of the mouth-forming lower ends of the said sections 81 and 82, and continued downward pressure will cause the crown to be seated onthe platform 93. It is to be noted that, after the body of the crown asses the separated mouth-forming ends, t e elasticity of the band 84L will restore said sections, and the knifesections 99, 99, to the position shown in Fig. 11, the lower leaves on the crown having been forced past the knives 99, 99, and havingsprung outwardly to normal position as illustrated. In this position the right hand of the operator, which has never. released its grasp on the top leaves of the crown, now imparts an upward pull and,

a simultaneous rotative twist upon the crown. Under such movement the lower leaves on the crown are cut, sheared or snapped off therefrom, by the cutters 99, 99, when the crown is forcibly pulled vertically past said cutters as will be understood. In the upward movement of the stripped crown past the cutters,the natural inward pull of the band cannot injure the exposed seed nodules of the crown, because of the counter pull of the distance piece 100.

, Various modifications of this structure may be suggested to those skilled in the art,

but my invention covers all embodiments falling fairly within the scope of the appended "claims. I'claim: l

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a pineapple crown, a hood adapted to cover the upper portion of said crown, a stripping device movable in a plane parallel to the plane of the surface of said hood and adapted for continued movea ment to contact and pass over the periphery of the crown below the hood, andmeans for moving said stripping device. 7 p

2. Apparatus of the character described comprislng a support for a pineapple crown, a hood adapted to cover the upperportion of said crown, a stripping device movable in a plane parallel to the plane of the surface of said hood and adapted for continued movement to contact and pass over the periphery of the crown below the hood, means for moving said stripping device, and means operable to release the crown from said hood after said stripping device has passed over the periphery of said crown.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a pineapple crown, a hood formed in a plurality of sections and adapted to cover the upper portion of said crown, a stripping device movable in contact with the surface of said hood and adapted for continued movement to pass over the periphery of the crown below the hood, means for moving said stripping device, and means operable to swing one section of said hood away from the crown to permit removal of the latter from said support.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a pineapple crown a hood formed in a plurality of sections and adapted to cover the upper portion of said crown, a stripping device movable in contact with the surface of said hood and adapted for continued movement to pass over the periphery of the crown below the hood, means for moving said stripping device, and means operable to swing one section of said hood away from the crown to permit removal of the latter from said support and to thereafter positively remove said crown from the support.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a pineapple crown, a funnel having pivotally connected sections and adapted to surround the top of said crown, a stripping device movable longitudinally of and in contact with the outer surface of said funnel and adapted for continued movement to pass over the periphery of said crown below the funnel, means for moving said stripping device, and means operable to simultaneously rotate said support.

6. Apparatus of the character described comppising a support for a pineapple crown, a funnel having plvotally connected sectlons and-adapted to surround the top of said crown, a stripping device movable longitudinally of and in contact with the outer surface of said funnel and adapted for continued movement to pass over the periphery of said crown below the funnel, means for moving said strippin device, and means operable to simultaneously rotate said support and to cause relative pivotal movement between said sections to release the crown from the funnel.

7. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support for a pineapple crown, a hood adapted to cover the upper portionof said crown, a pivotally mounted yoke carrying a stripping device at its forward end and movable towards and away from said hood, and means for moving said yoke towards said hood whereby to cause said stripping device to move in contact with the sides of said hood and to thereafter pass over the periphery of the crown below the hood sub stantially as described.

8. Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a pineapple crown, a hood adapted to cover the upper portion of said crown, a plurality of yokes mounted adjacent said hood and each carrying a flexible stripping device, and means for moving the yokes into position such that each will straddle said hood and cause the stripping Ill' device carried 'by each yoke to move longitudinally of the hood and in contact with the outer surface thereof, said means being operable to cause a continuance of such movement until said stripping devices have passed comprising a support for a pineapple crown,

a hood adapted to cover the upper portion of said crown, a plurality of yokes mounted adjacent said hood and each carrying a flexible stripping device, means for moving the yokes into position such that each will straddle said hood and cause thestrippmg device car-' ried by each yoke to move longitudinally of the hood and in contact with the outer surface thereof, said means being operable to causea continuance of such movement until said stripping devices have passed beyond the end of the hood and over the periphery of the exposed portion Oil the crown, and means for restoring the yokes to normal position.

10. Apparatus of the character described comprising a support t'or a pineapple crown, a hood adapted to cover the upper portion of said crown a plurality of flexible stripping devices located adjacent said hood and adapted for movement in a plane such that the said devices have wiping contact longitudinally of the sides of said hood and over the exposed portion of said crown outside of the hood; and means for moving said devices and for restoring them to normal position.

11. Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a pineapple crown,

a hood enclosing the upper portion of said crown, a plurality of flexible stripping devices mounted adjacent said hood, and means for moving said devices into contact with the outer surface of said hood and to cause them to travel longitudinally of the latter and to finally pass over and in contact with the ex osed portion of said crown in over-lapped reation, substantially as described.

12., Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a pineapple crown, a hood enclosing the upper portion of said crown, a plurality of flexible stripping devices mounted adjacent said chood, means for moving said devices into contact with the outer surface of said hood and to cause them to travel longitudinally of the latter and to finally pass over and in contact with the exposed portion of said crown in overlapped relation, and resilient means at all times tending to straighten said stripping devices.

13. Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a pineapple crown, a hood enclosing the upper portion of said crown, a plurality of flexible stripping devices mounted adjacent said hood, means for moving said devices into contactwith the outer surface of said hood and to cause them moving said devices into contact with the outer surface of said hood and to cause them to travel longitudinally of the latter and to finally pass over and in contact with the exposed portion-ot' said crown in over-lapped relation, and means for vertically adjusting the position of said support.

15. Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a pinea )ple crown, a hood enclosing one end of SfllC crown and leaving the other end thereof exposed, a plurality o't flexible stripping devices normally located laterally of said hood, each stripping device being inclined at an angle to the horizontal axis of said hood, and means for moving said devices into contact with the sides of said hood and to cause them to travel longitudinally of the latter and to finally pass over the exposed portion of the crown, whereby to impose a shearing action upon the leaves carried by said crown, substantially as described.

16. Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a ineapple crown, a. hood enclosing one end 0 said crown and leaving the other end thereof exposed, a plurality of flexible stripping devices normally located laterally of said hood, eachstripping device being inclined at an angle to the horizontal axis of said hood, means for moving said devices into contact with the sides of said hood and to cause them to travel longitudinally of the latter and to finally pass over the exposed portion of the crown, whereby to impose a shearing action upon the leaves carried by said crown, and means operable to simultaneously rotate said support.

17. Apparatus of the character described comprising a. support for a pineapple crown, a hood enclosing one end of said crown and leaving the other end thereof exposed, a plurality of flexible stripping devices normally located laterally of said hood, each stripping device being inclined at an angle to the horizontal axis of said hood, means for movin said devices into contact with the sides 0 said hood and to cause them to travel longi tudinally of the latter and to finally pass over the exposed portion of the crown, whereby to impose a shearing action upon the leaves carried by said crown, and means operable to release said crown from said hood and to positively move it from said support.

18.'Apparatus of the character described comprising a support for a pineapple crown, a hood enclosing one end of said crown and leaving the other end thereof exposed, a plurality of flexible stripping devices normally located laterally of said hood, each stripping device being inclined at an angle to the horizontal axis of said hood, means for moving said devices into contact With the sides of said hood and to cause them to travel longitudinally 01. the latter and to finally pass over the exposed portion of the crown, whereby to impose a shearing action upon the leaves carried by said crown, means operable to release said crown from said hood and to positively move it from said support, and additional means for vertically adjusting the position of said support.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES H. DOLAN, JR. 

